An unusual schedule gives the Gonzaga women’s basketball team 10
days off before opening West Coast Conference play against Portland.

Too bad.

The way the Zags destroyed UC Santa Barbara Wednesday night at McCartheyAthleticCenter
tonight may not be soon enough.

Before the end of the bench took over with more than 8 minutes to
play the Bulldogs were almost perfect in delighting 2,511 fans with an 88-52
victory.

“(This showed) we can play at an elite level, all of us at the
same time,” junior point guard Courtney Vandersloot said. “We have a tendency just
a couple of players play good, more-so this year.”

Among the notable numbers: 36 points after turnovers, 29 assists
on 37 baskets, 10 3-pointers, including eight in the first half when the
Gauchos had eight total baskets and 50.7 percent shooting – even though the
conclusion (2-of-10 shooting) wasn’t picturesque.

“We were pretty good tonight,” GU coach Kelly Graves said. “When
we shoot the ball that well, I thought that was the key. We were making
perimeter shots, that’s been our nemesis all season long. We put it together
tonight.”

Vivian Friesen, who finished up with 16 points and nine rebounds,
scored the first size points before UCSB (3-9) scored. Before they connected
again it was 19-3 and the Zags (11-4) closed the half with a 13-0 for a 53-21
lead.

The starters hit the bench shortly after a 16-0 run made it 80-34
with 10:26 remaining.

Vandersloot had 17 points and 12 assists with just two turnovers
plus the bulk of the defense that kept Emilie Johnson, UCSB’s leading scorer at
14.2, scoreless.Tiffany Shives also had 17, hitting six of nine shots,
including five 3’s.

“I feel a little better shooting,” Shives said after matching her
season high from the opening game. “I struggled a little bit and then it got in
my head.”

Kayla Standish came off the bench for 11 points, four blocks and
three assists and Heather Bowman had 10 points.

“We’re getting there,” Vandersloot said. “We still have that 10
day break that will help us get physically and mentally prepared for league. We
need to sharpen some things up both defensively and offensively. It’s been a
little bit of a roller coaster, it will give us a chance to make sure we’re all
on the same page.”

Chris Spencer scored 11 off the bench for UCSB but 6-foot-4 Wake
Forest transfer Mekia Valentine had just six, less than half her average.

Although the Gauchos, who shot 31.8 percent and had 24 turnovers,
will take a losing record into league play for the sixth straight season they
have made 10 straight post-season appearances, with 11 NCAA trips in the last
13 years.

“The record is not indicative of that team,” Graves
said. “We obviously took them out of what they wanted to do. They’re a good
team and I wouldn’t be surprised if they win the Big West.”

UCSB beat the Zags, who were 8-1 at the time, at home last year
59-47 and 76-58 in its only previous appearance in Spokane exactly 10 yeas ago.

“Coach (Summitt) really emphasized getting in the gym after
the Stanford game and everyone took it seriously," Bjorklund said. "Everyone has been getting in
the gym and it really shows. Just getting an extra 200-300 shots before or
after practice really helps. It helps mentally too. In your head, you think
about how you’ve been in the gym and that builds confidence, both in each other
and in your own shot. We’ve also been focusing on getting the ball inside,
which helps open things up on the outside.”

Summitt said, “If there’s one player who has worked the hardest, it’s Angie
Bjorklund.It’s paying off not only for
her but for our team as well.

“We had the players write out what they needed to do to get
better.Angie needs to be a better
defender.She needs to be more patient
when we’re setting screens.She’s very
committed to getting better.”